Organization studies, although a relatively recent notion, has roots that go back at least to the early days of the twentieth century. The study of how people construct organizations, how they use the structures, processes, and practices that they have designed, and how these, in turn, use people, organize social relations, construct institutions, organize them, and, consecutively, enable them to organize us—has matured along multiple fronts. Over the last two decades more diverse approaches, drawing on more qualitative and ethnographic styles of research, have predominated. This Encyclopedia represents both the older and the newer styles of work, with their respective concerns.

The International Encyclopedia of Organization Studies is the definitive description of the field, spanning individual, organizational, societal, and cultural perspective in a cross-disciplinary manner. The old model of a North American core exporting its domain assumptions to the rest of the world, while by no means absent, is less marked than it used to be. Thus, editors Stewart R. Clegg and James R. Bailey have sought to capture much of the cutting-edge thinking that characterizes the best scholarship—in the United States and elsewhere. The Encyclopedia is thoroughly cross-referenced, and entries are based around a series of broad themes.

Key Features

Offers a comprehensive overview of many of the major ideas, concepts, terms, and approaches that characterize this diverse field of organization studies

Illustrates the fluidity, dynamism, and innovation that now occur in organization studies—internationally

Brings together a team of international contributors from the fields of management, psychology, sociology, communications, education, political science, public administration, anthropology, law, and other related areas

Examines how organizations are devices for structuring life and lives are structured by organizations

Key Themes

Approaches to Organization Theory

Approaches to Management Theory

Culture and Symbolism

Human Resource Management

International Approaches

Issues in Organization Practices

Issues in Organizational Structure

Innovation and Creativity

Knowledge and Learning

Leadership Theory

Organizational Behavior

Organizational Cognition, Change, and Communication

Organizational Economics

Organizational Relations

Organizational Power, Politics, and Conflict

Philosophy of Organizations

Research Practice and Methodology

Social Issues

Teams

Technologies

The International Encyclopedia of Organization Studies is the premier reference tool for students, educators, scholars, and practitioners to gather knowledge about a range of important topics from the unique perspective of organization studies with extensive international representation.